Community Profiles

Bigfork in an edge of the wilderness community and Itasca County’s northern hub. This small town is home to a world-class hospital and a focal point for the county’s forestry industry. Countless acres of state and national forest surround the community, and Scenic State Park is just a few miles away....Learn More »

Cohasset is Itasca County’s second-largest town and nestles along the banks of the Mississippi River between the Chippewa National Forest and Grand Rapids. It combines river and lakefront living with major business assets such as the Cohasset Industrial Park and Minnesota Power’s Boswell Energy Center. This growing community offers the best of all worlds....Learn More »

Coleraine sits just northeast of Grand Rapids along Highway 169 and the shores of Trout Lake. It is home to a Natural Resources Research Institute research lab and Greenway High School, which serves much of eastern Itasca County. Founded as a mining town in 1909, it now strives to offer “the best of small town living.”...Learn More »

Deer River sits along U.S. Hwy. 2 between Grand Rapids and Bemidji and serves as a gateway to boundless forests and scenic lakes. It has a strong forestry industry and is home to the world’s largest wild rice festival. Thanks to its substantial Native American population, it is one of the most diverse communities in northern Minnesota....Learn More »

Grand Rapids is the county seat and largest city in Itasca County. Its central location makes it a commercial hub for Itasca County and many areas beyond, and its economy combines a strong industrial base with flourishing tourism and retail sectors. It is home to Grand Rapids High School, Itasca Community College, and a wealth of cultural opportunities for a community of its size....Learn More »

Keewatin is on the far eastern edge of Itasca County. It is home to U.S. Steel’s Keetac taconite mining operation, which is one of the largest employers in the county. Keewatin businesses draw workforce from across Itasca County and neighboring St. Louis County....Learn More »

Nashwauk is a historic community located off Highway 169 in eastern Itasca County. The town features a 20-acre industrial park and is home to Nashwauk-Keewatin High School. It sits next to one of the richest untapped taconite deposits on the Iron Range....Learn More »